Armed Piney Flats man arrested after confronting nurse

The blotter is derived from recent incident reports and central dispatch records of local police agencies.

Kingsport Police Department

Feb. 4

When a man left the office of an apartment complex on Oak Street, another man was allegedly “laying in wait and began striking him with a set of nunchucks.” A property manager confirmed the incident, while the suspect, a resident, claimed the victim had previously tried to take his daughter’s phone. That female could not be located. The attacker was arrested for aggravated assault.

Feb. 6

— As a 42-year-old motorist pulled in to Minute Market on Center Street, his foot slipped off the brake and onto the gas, causing his car to hit a pedestrian and the front of the building. Damage to the store was minimal, while the woman who was struck avoided serious injuries. The incident was ruled an accident, and no charges were filed.

— Shortly after 6:30 p.m., a woman bleeding from the head and yelling for help ran into the Holston Medical Group building. She said an unknown man offered to give her a ride as she walked on East Sevier, so she got in his vehicle. He drove to a liquor store and then a parking lot on Stone Drive, according to her account, then proceeded to commit a lewd act. After that, he allegedly hit her with a baseball bat and she had to “karate chop” him to escape. The case was passed along to detectives.

Hawkins County Sheriff’s Office

Feb. 3

At Walmart in Morristown, one motorist blew his horn at another, trying to get him to pull onto the roadway. An altercation ensued on the highway then escalated when both drivers pulled into a Mooresburg convenience store parking lot. The men, ages 60 and 33, exited their vehicles. The older man, who had an ax handle, was pushed to the ground. Police observed no injuries to either party. Both men were advised how they could pursue private prosecution.

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office

Feb. 4

When a home health worker, 67, pulled into a Piney Flats driveway to call a co-worker, she was approached by an angry man. After cursing her and asking why she was present, he reportedly pointed a handgun in her face, placing her in fear of her life. When police questioned the 33-year-old suspect, he admitted to confronting the victim. He then grew confrontational with officers — questioning why they were on his property — and was arrested for aggravated assault. His pistol was seized as evidence.